1) Using the yeast signal transduction pathways, both types of mating cells release the mating factors. These factors bind to specific receptors on the correct cells,A) which induce changes in the cells that lead to cell fusion.B) which produce more of the a factor in a positive feedback.C) then one cell nucleus binds the mating factors and produces a new nucleus in the opposite cell.D) stimulating cell membrane disintegration, releasing the mating factors that lead to new yeast cells.E) which in turn releases a growth factor that stimulates mitosis in both cells.

A) which induce changes in the cells that lead to cell fusion.

2) What is most likely to happen to an animal's target cells that lack receptors for local regulators?A) They might compensate by receiving nutrients via a factor.B) They could develop normally in response to neurotransmitters instead.C) They could divide but never reach full size.D) They might not be able to multiply in response to growth factors from nearby cells.E) Hormones would not be able to interact with target cells.

D) They might not be able to multiply in response to growth factors from nearby cells.

3) Which of the following is a likely explanation of why natural selection favored the evolution of signals for sexual reproduction?A) Even in the simplest organisms, sexual reproduction required several coordinated responses by cells.B) Multicellular eukaryotes required signals that were responded to by multiple organ systems.C) Cells of several kinds of mating types needed to sort themselves to allow self-recognition.D) Rooted plants required chemical diffusible signals that could travel throughout the organism.E) Hormones required a mechanism for introducing changes in their target tissues.

A) Even in the simplest organisms, sexual reproduction required several coordinated responses by cells.

4) Which of the following is characterized by a cell releasing a signal molecule into the environment, followed by a number of cells in the immediate vicinity responding?A) hormonal signalingB) autocrine signalingC) paracrine signalingD) endocrine signalingE) synaptic signaling

C) paracrine signaling

5) In the formation of biofilms, such as those forming on unbrushed teeth, cell signaling serves which function?A) formation of mating complexesB) secretion of apoptotic signalsC) aggregation of bacteria that can cause cavitiesD) secretion of substances that inhibit foreign bacteriaE) digestion of unwanted parasite populations

C) aggregation of bacteria that can cause cavities

6) In yeast signal transduction, the yeast cellsA) must physically and directly interact.B) produce signal molecules that change themselves so they can interact with one another.C) produce response molecules that diffuse to other yeast cells.D) secrete molecules that result in response by other yeast cells.E) mate, after which the new cells secrete hybrid signals.

D) secrete molecules that result in response by other yeast cells.

7) In which of the following ways do plant hormones differ from hormones in animals?A) Plant hormones interact primarily with intracellular receptors.B) Plant hormones may travel in air or through vascular systems.C) Animal hormones are found in much greater concentration.D) Plant hormones are synthesized from two or more distinct molecules.E) Animal hormones are primarily for mating and embryonic development.

B) Plant hormones may travel in air or through vascular systems.

8) In an experiment to track the movement of growth factor molecules from secretion to the point of receptor binding in a particular species of mammal, a student found a 20-fold reduction in mm traveled when in the presence of an adrenal hormone. This is in part attributable to which of the following?A) The growth factor is a paracrine signal.B) The growth factor depends on osmosis.C) The mammal only carries growth factor through the lymph.D) The growth factor is an exocrine signal.E) The growth factor is an endocrine signal.

A) The growth factor is a paracrine signal.

9) When a neuron responds to a particular neurotransmitter by opening gated ion channels, the neurotransmitter is serving as which part of the signal pathway?A) receptorB) relay moleculeC) transducerD) signal moleculeE) endocrine molecule

D) signal molecule

10) Of the following, a receptor protein in a membrane that recognizes a chemical signal is most similar toA) the active site of an allosteric enzyme that binds to a specific substrate.B) tRNA specifying which amino acids are in a polypeptide.C) a metabolic pathway operating within a specific organelle.D) an enzyme having an optimum pH and temperature for activity.E) an antibody in the immune system.

A) the active site of an allosteric enzyme that binds to a specific substrate.

11) Which of the following is true for the signaling system in an animal cell that lacks the ability to produce GTP?A) It would not be able to activate and inactivate the G protein on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane.B) It could activate only the epinephrine system.C) It would be able to carry out reception and transduction but would not be able to respond to a signal.D) It would use ATP instead of GTP to activate and inactivate the G protein on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane.E) It would employ a transduction pathway directly from an external messenger.

A) It would not be able to activate and inactivate the G protein on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane.

12) Testosterone functions inside a cell byA) acting as a signal receptor that activates tyrosine kinases.B) binding with a receptor protein that enters the nucleus and activates specific genes.C) acting as a steroid signal receptor that activates ion channel proteins.D) becoming a second messenger that inhibits adenylyl cyclase.E) coordinating a phosphorylation cascade that increases spermatogenesis.

B) binding with a receptor protein that enters the nucleus and activates specific genes.

13) Which of the following is true of transcription factors?A) They regulate the synthesis of DNA in response to a signal.B) They transcribe ATP into cAMP.C) They initiate the epinephrine response in animal cells.D) They control gene expression.E) They regulate the synthesis of lipids in the cytoplasm.

D) They control gene expression.

14) One of the major categories of receptors in the plasma membrane reacts by forming dimers, adding phosphate groups, and then activating relay proteins. Which type does this?A) G protein-coupled receptorsB) ligand-gated ion channelsC) steroid receptorsD) receptor tyrosine kinases

D) receptor tyrosine kinases

15) Because most receptors are membrane proteins, which of the following is usually true?A) They lead to changes in intracellular ion concentration.B) They open and close in response to protein signals.C) They are only attached to one membrane surface: exterior or interior.D) They preferentially bind with lipid or glycolipid signal molecules.E) They change their conformation after binding with signal polypeptides.

E) They change their conformation after binding with signal polypeptides.

16) Since steroid receptors are located intracellularly, which of the following is true?A) The receptor molecules are themselves lipids or glycolipids.B) The steroid/receptor complex can cross the nuclear membrane.C) The unbound steroid receptors are quickly recycled by lysosomes.D) The concentration of steroid receptors must be relatively high in most cells.E) The receptor molecules are free to move in and out of most organelles.

B) The steroid/receptor complex can cross the nuclear membrane.

17) Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are found at high levels on various cancer cells. A protein, Herceptin, has been found to bind to an RTK known as HER2. This information can now be utilized in breast cancer treatment if which of the following is true?A) If Herceptin is found in the breast lymph nodes of the patient.B) If HER2, administered by injection, is in sufficient concentration.C) If the patient's cancer cells have detectable HER2.D) If the patient's genome codes for the HER2 receptor.E) If the patient's genome codes for the manufacture of Herceptin.

19) In general, a signal transmitted via phosphorylation of a series of proteinsA) brings a conformational change to each protein.B) requires binding of a hormone to a cytosol receptor.C) cannot occur in yeasts because they lack protein phosphatases.D) requires phosphorylase activity.E) allows target cells to change their shape and therefore their activity.

A) brings a conformational change to each protein.

20) Sutherland discovered that epinephrine signalsA) a decrease in levels of cAMP as a result of bypassing the plasma membrane.B) lower blood glucose by binding to liver cells.C) interactions with insulin inside muscle cells.D) interactions directly with glycogen phosphorylase.E) elevation of cytosolic concentrations of cyclic AMP.

E) elevation of cytosolic concentrations of cyclic AMP.

21) Which of the following is the best explanation for the inability of a specific animal cell to reduce the Ca2+ concentration in its cytosol compared with the extracellular fluid?A) blockage of the synaptic signalB) loss of transcription factorsC) insufficient ATP levels in the cytoplasmD) low oxygen concentration around the cellE) low levels of protein kinase in the cell

C) insufficient ATP levels in the cytoplasm

22) The toxin of Vibrio cholerae causes profuse diarrhea because itA) modifies a G protein involved in regulating salt and water secretion.B) decreases the cytosolic concentration of calcium ions, making the cells hypotonic.C) binds with adenylyl cyclase and triggers the formation of cAMP.D) signals IP3 to act as a second messenger for the release of calcium.E) modifies calmodulin and activates a cascade of protein kinases.

A) modifies a G protein involved in regulating salt and water secretion.

23) Which of the following would be inhibited by a drug that specifically blocks the addition of phosphate groups to proteins?A) G protein-coupled receptor signalingB) ligand-gated ion channel signalingC) adenylyl cyclase activityD) phosphatase activityE) receptor tyrosine kinase activity

E) receptor tyrosine kinase activity

24) Which of the following most likely would be an immediate result of growth factor binding to its receptor?A) protein kinase activityB) adenylyl cyclase activityC) GTPase activityD) protein phosphatase activityE) phosphorylase activity

A) protein kinase activity

25) An inhibitor of phosphodiesterase activity would have which of the following effects?A) block the response of epinephrineB) decrease the amount of cAMP in the cytoplasmC) block the activation of G proteins in response to epinephrine binding to its receptorD) prolong the effect of epinephrine by maintaining elevated cAMP levels in the cytoplasmE) block the activation of protein kinase A

D) prolong the effect of epinephrine by maintaining elevated cAMP levels in the cytoplasm

26) Adenylyl cyclase has the opposite effect of which of the following?A) protein kinaseB) protein phosphataseC) phosphodiesteraseD) phosphorylaseE) GTPase

C) phosphodiesterase

27) Caffeine is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. Therefore, the cells of a person who has recently consumed coffee would have increased levels ofA) phosphorylated proteins.B) GTP.C) cAMP.D) adenylyl cyclase.E) activated G proteins.

C) cAMP.

28) If a pharmaceutical company wished to design a drug to maintain low blood sugar levels, one approach might be to design a compoundA) that activates epinephrine receptors.B) that increases cAMP production in liver cells.C) to block G protein activity in liver cells.D) that increases phosphorylase activity.E) that keeps sugar molecules from crossing the plasma membrane of liver cells.

C) to block G protein activity in liver cells.

29) If a pharmaceutical company wished to design a drug to maintain low blood sugar levels, one approach might be to design a compoundA) that mimics epinephrine and can bind to the epinephrine receptor.B) that stimulates cAMP production in liver cells.C) to stimulate G protein activity in liver cells.D) that increases phosphodiesterase activity.E) that does any of the above.

D) that increases phosphodiesterase activity.

30) An inhibitor of which of the following could be used to block the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum?A) tyrosine kinasesB) serine/threonine kinasesC) phosphodiesteraseD) phospholipase CE) adenylyl cyclase

D) phospholipase C

31) Which of the following statements is true of signal molecules?A) When signal molecules first bind to receptor tyrosine kinases, the receptors phosphorylate a number of nearby molecules.B) In response to some G protein-mediated signals, a special type of lipid molecule associated with the plasma membrane is cleaved to form IP3 and calcium.C) In most cases, signal molecules interact with the cell at the plasma membrane and then enter the cell and eventually the nucleus.D) Toxins such as those that cause botulism and cholera interfere with the ability of activated G proteins to hydrolyze GTP to GDP, resulting in phosphodiesterase activity in the absence of an appropriate signal molecule.E) Protein kinase A activation is one possible result of signal molecules binding to G protein-coupled receptors.

E) Protein kinase A activation is one possible result of signal molecules binding to G protein-coupled receptors.

32) Which of the following is a correct association?A) kinase activity and the addition of a tyrosineB) phosphodiesterase activity and the removal of phosphate groupsC) GTPase activity and hydrolysis of GTP to GDPD) phosphorylase activity and the catabolism of glucoseE) adenylyl cyclase activity and the conversion of cAMP to AMP

C) GTPase activity and hydrolysis of GTP to GDP

33) One inhibitor of cGMP is Viagra. It provides a signal that leads to dilation of blood vessels and increase of blood in the penis, facilitating erection. Since cGMP is inhibited, the signal is prolonged. The original signal that is now inhibited would haveA) hydrolyzed cGMP to GMP.B) hydrolyzed GTP to GDP.C) phosphorylated GDP.D) dephosphorylated cGMP.E) removed GMP from the cell.

A) hydrolyzed cGMP to GMP.

34) Which of the following is the best explanation for the fact that most transduction pathways have multiple steps?A) Most of the steps were already in place because they are steps in other pathways.B) Multiple steps in a pathway require the least amount of ATP.C) Multiple steps provide for greater possible amplification of a signal.D) Each individual step can remove excess phosphate groups from the cytoplasm.E) Each step can be activated by several G proteins simultaneously.

35) Which of the following amino acids are most frequently phosphorylated by protein kinases in the cytoplasm during signal transduction?A) tyrosinesB) glycine and histidineC) serine and threonineD) glycine and glutamic acidE) Any of the 20 amino acids are equally phosphorylated.

C) serine and threonine

36) The function of phosphatases in signal transduction is best described as toA) move the phosphate group of the transduction pathway to the next molecule of a series.B) prevent a protein kinase from being reused when there is another extracellular signal.C) amplify the transduction signal so it affects multiple transducers.D) amplify the second messengers such as cAMP.E) inactivate protein kinases and turn off the signal transduction.

E) inactivate protein kinases and turn off the signal transduction.

37) What explains the increased concentration of Ca++ in the ER?A) Calcium ions are actively imported from the cytoplasm into the ER.B) Calcium concentration is kept low in the cytoplasm because of its high usage level.C) Calcium cannot enter the plasma membrane through ion channels.D) Calcium levels in the blood or other body fluids are extremely low.E) The Ca ions are recycled from other molecules in the ER.

A) Calcium ions are actively imported from the cytoplasm into the ER.

38) In which of the following ways could signal transduction most probably be explored in research to treat cancer?A) removal of serine/threonine phosphate acceptors from transduction pathways in colon pre-cancerous growthsB) alteration of protein kinases in cell cycle regulation in order to slow cancer growthC) increase in calcium ion uptake into the cytoplasm in order to modulate the effects of environmental carcinogensD) expansion of the role of transduction inhibitors in the cells before they give rise to cancerE) increase in the concentration of phosphodiesterases in order to produce more AMP

B) alteration of protein kinases in cell cycle regulation in order to slow cancer growth

39) A drug designed to inhibit the response of cells to testosterone would almost certainly result in which of the following?A) lower cytoplasmic levels of cAMPB) an increase in receptor tyrosine kinase activityC) a decrease in transcriptional activity of certain genesD) an increase in cytosolic calcium concentrationE) a decrease in G protein activity

C) a decrease in transcriptional activity of certain genes

40) At puberty, an adolescent female body changes in both structure and function of several organ systems, primarily under the influence of changing concentrations of estrogens and other steroid hormones. How can one hormone, such as estrogen, mediate so many effects?A) Estrogen is produced in very large concentration and therefore diffuses widely.B) Estrogen has specific receptors inside several cell types, but each cell responds in the same way to its binding.C) Estrogen is kept away from the surface of any cells not able to bind it at the surface.D) Estrogen binds to specific receptors inside many kinds of cells, each of which have different responses to its binding.E) The subcomponents of estrogen, when metabolized, can influence cell response.

D) Estrogen binds to specific receptors inside many kinds of cells, each of which have different responses to its binding.

41) What are scaffolding proteins?A) ladderlike proteins that allow receptor-ligand complexes to climb through cells from one position to anotherB) microtubular protein arrays that allow lipid-soluble hormones to get from the cell membrane to the nuclear poresC) large molecules to which several relay proteins attach to facilitate cascade effectsD) relay proteins that orient receptors and their ligands in appropriate directions to facilitate their complexingE) proteins that can reach into the nucleus of a cell to affect transcription

C) large molecules to which several relay proteins attach to facilitate cascade effects

42) The termination phase of cell signaling requires which of the following?A) removal of the receptorB) activation of a different set of relay moleculesC) converting ATP to campD) incompatibility of the binding of the signal molecule to the receptorE) apoptosis

D) incompatibility of the binding of the signal molecule to the receptor

43) GTPase activity is involved in the regulation of signal transduction because itA) increases the available concentration of phosphate.B) decreases the amount of G protein in the membrane.C) hydrolyzes GTP binding to G protein.D) converts cGMP to GTP.E) phosphorylates protein kinases.

C) hydrolyzes GTP binding to G protein.

44) Why has C. elegans proven to be a useful model for understanding apoptosis?A) The animal has as many genes as complex organisms, but finding those responsible is easier than in a more complex organism.B) The nematode undergoes a fixed and easy-to-visualize number of apoptotic events during its normal development.C) This plant has a long-studied aging mechanism that has made understanding its death just a last stage.D) While the organism ages, its cells die progressively until the whole organism is dead.E) All of its genes are constantly being expressed so all of its proteins are available from each cell.

B) The nematode undergoes a fixed and easy-to-visualize number of apoptotic events during its normal development.

45) Which of the following describes the events of apoptosis?A) The cell dies, it is lysed, its organelles are phagocytized, and its contents are recycled.B) Its DNA and organelles become fragmented, it dies, and it is phagocytized.C) The cell dies and the presence of its fragmented contents stimulates nearby cells to divide.D) Its DNA and organelles are fragmented, the cell shrinks and forms blebs, and the cell self-digests.E) Its nucleus and organelles are lysed, then the cell enlarges and bursts.

D) Its DNA and organelles are fragmented, the cell shrinks and forms blebs, and the cell self-digests.

46) If an adult person has a faulty version of the human analog to ced-4 of the nematode, which of the following is most likely to result?A) neurodegenerationB) activation of a developmental pathway found in the worm but not in humansC) a form of cancer in which there is insufficient apoptosisD) webbing of fingers or toesE) excess skin exfoliation

C) a form of cancer in which there is insufficient apoptosis

47) Why is apoptosis potentially threatening to the healthy "neighbors" of a dying cell?A) Cell death would usually spread from one cell to the next via paracrine signals.B) Lysosomal enzymes exiting the dying cell would damage surrounding cells.C) Released cellular energy would interfere with the neighbors' energy budget.D) Bits of membrane from the dying cell could merge with neighbors and bring in foreign receptors.E) Neighboring cells would activate immunological responses.

48) In C. elegans, ced-9 prevents apoptosis in a normal cell in which of the following ways?A) It prevents the caspase activity of ced-3 and ced-4.B) Ced-9 remains inactive until it is signaled by ced-3 and other caspases.C) Ced-9 cleaves to produce ced-3 and ced-4.D) Ced-9 enters the nucleus and activates apoptotic genes.E) Ced-9 prevents blebbing by its action on the cell membrane.

A) It prevents the caspase activity of ced-3 and ced-4.

49) In research on aging (both cellular aging and organismal aging), it has been found that aged cells do not progress through the cell cycle as they had previously. Which of the following would provide evidence that this is related to cell signaling?A) Growth factor ligands do not bind as efficiently to receptors.B) Their lower hormone concentrations elicit a lesser response.C) cAMP levels change very frequently.D) Enzymatic activity declines.E) ATP production decreases.